COKA THE WALK Jones: We’re back...Bring on the Six Nations
The blues of early 2018 have been banished by england who have the chariot back on track as they head into World Cup year. A comfortable win over Australia rounded off a fine autumn campaign and with key personnel to return in the New Year, Japan 2019 glory again looks a realistic target for Eddie Jones’s men. England were too strong all round for the Wallabies with what they had at Twickenham. Throw in the Vunipola brothers and a restored Manu Tuilagi, who tip-toed his way back into Test rugby after a two-year gap with 12 minutes off the bench, and there’s an air of menace about England again.
They are not the finished article – they should have put a poor Australia side away by more – but with nine games to build up a head of steam before the World Cup, optimism is building.
“We had a tough Six Nations. We got some things wrong in planning, in terms of where we were going as a team and we needed to regroup and we did that,” said Jones. “In terms of the togetherness of the team, how we want to go forward, this series was a step forward and the 2019 Six Nations will be another one.”
England’s second-half display had Twickenham on its feet as Jones’s men ran in three tries.
Elliot Daly struck in the 44th minute, speeding through on an arcing run from Owen Farrell’s offload. Then Joe Cokanasiga bounced off Dane Haylett-Petty to score.
Farrell completed the rout with four minutes left, taking substitute George Ford’s pass to score. Cokanasiga has been the find of the autumn with the giant Bath wing making it two tries in as many starts for England.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. I just love it and there will hopefully be more to come,” said the 21-yearold. “I’m confident in what